Attitudes in Reverse®

START THE CONVERSATION® | REVERSE AN ATTITUDE | SAVE A LIFE

Attitudes in Reverse
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                      Attitudes In Reverse or AIR® offers a comprehensive mental health plan to educate youth, from elementary level through college-age. AIR's programs are wrapped in messages of understanding, empathy and kindness towards all. At AIR, we believe that good mental health programming makes the best anti-bullying and suicide prevention plans. Breaking down stigma allows AIR to help identify youth who are at risk. Programs are also available for parents, teachers and all school staff. Certified AIR Dogs, therapy dogs, accompany all program presenters.

Attitudes In Reverse® is partnering with The College of New Jersey's Testing and Assessment in Psychology Lab. AIR®
is grateful to the staff and students at the TAPlab who are performing an evidence-based program evaluation of AIR®'s programs. 

 

AIR® Attitudes In Reverse®

Mental illness is like air. Just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It is all around us.™

Rules: Designs must be centered on the “AIR Attitudes In Reverse” theme, include the words “AIR Attitudes In Reverse” somewhere in the design (not
necessarily together), fit easily on one side of a t-shirt, and be clearly reproducible. A winning design may be modified as AIR deems appropriate; if so, it
will preserve the concept that is submitted. All acceptable entries may be displayed on the web. T-shirt designs and completed Entry/Release forms must be
received no later than Friday, March 28, 2025. The winning t-shirt designs will be chosen by representatives of Attitudes In Reverse. Winners will be
notified by May 1, 2025. The winning designs will be reproduced on green t-shirts (signifying children’s mental health) with white ink (signifying hope) -
first place on the front and second place on the back -- and will be made available for purchase by May 2025 (National Mental Health Awareness
Month). Prizes will be awarded no later than May 31, 2025. Each winner will receive a free t-shirt with the winning designs. Designs can be submitted
electronically to: tshirtdesign@attitudesinreverse.org or snail-mailed to: Attitudes In Reverse, P.O. Box 3127, Princeton, NJ 08543. Please mark “Do Not
Bend” on the outside of the envelope. Each entry must be accompanied by an Entry/Release form with original signatures by both a parent and the student
and can be mailed separately (but must include a copy of the emailed design to be able to correlate the form with the design). All entries will become
exclusive property of Attitudes In Reverse, who reserves the right to reject or refuse to display any artwork on the website that is deemed inappropriate.
Questions can be directed to tshirtdesign@attitudesinreverse.org

 

 

2024 Miki Open AIR® Event

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and attendees who helped make this year's

Miki & Friends OPEN AIR event a success.

I am so appreciative of the AIR grant, that is amazing!! I have forwarded your message to my principal (David Winston, winston@lincpk.com) and my replacement (Jackie Heftler, heftler@lincpk.com). I am leaving my position this week, but wanted to get this confirmed for next year as I agree that your program is life-saving, and life-changing. The last time you were at LPMS I had a student who was experiencing depression. Her parents and I had tried to encourage her to participate in therapeutic counseling, but she was really resistant. After your presentation and the breakout session with our school psychologist, she came to me and shared that she thought she was ready. It really hit her when she realized that her symptoms and feelings were not simply "being sad," they were signs of depression. That same student will be a Senior next year. She still participates in counseling and has developed a love for Physics. Your program makes such a difference, I can't wait for you to reach another group of Lincoln Park students.
All the best,
Cristina, School Counselor

 

Coming Up for AIR® Student Presentation Program

The AIR® student presentation is mental health education geared towards students, middle school through college age. It is a peer-led multi-modal presentation: PowerPoint, video, interactive discussion. It can be 45 to 60 minutes, depending upon class length, and can be offered during Physical Education, Health, Science, Social Studies/Humanities classes. The presentation can be delivered to individual classes, as well as a full auditorium of students. It is also available and recommended for Parent-Teacher-Student Associations and parent-only audiences. Click for more information

AIR® Awareness Outreach

Attitudes In Reverse® volunteers attend many different types of events to help start conversations about good mental health. These can be college health fairs, local community events, state mental health conferences and Supernatural conventions. Since therapy dogs are involved in our non-profit, we often find ourselves at dog events, where people normally do not talk about mental health or suicide. Click for more information. The coming up for AIR Student Presentation Program has a response rate of 35% of students ask for help after the presentation.

We could not accomplish our goals without the kindness and support of our Sustaining Sponsors. Thank you!

 

 

Latest Updates :

Presentations to Date

200,000+

Testimonials

“AIR has come 2 times a year to our school for at least the last 10 years, This program is a must for young people…Every time Trish talks to our kids, we have students coming forward recognizing that some of their thoughts and behaviors may not be healthy for them and they reach out, or a friend feels safe enough to reach out to their safe adult here at school. She has saved lives…This I know for sure…

Please, if you have the opportunity have her come to your organization and speak to adults, parents, and the kids.”

Kathy Maley, Notre Dame High School
” The county superintendents have initiated a Call to Action that has helped to raise awareness and connect partners in this fight. Our work with AIR is an important part of this meaningful endeavor”. -Michael Nitti, Superintendent of Ewing School District
 
” Once we saw how students reacted to AIR Dogs’ initial therapy visit to Antheil Elementary School, and the benefits of it, we definitely wanted to fit it into our schools’ schedules. I’ve seen the power of AIR’s work, and I’ve been a huge supporter ever since”. – Maria Petsos, Special Education Supervisor
Maria Petsos, Special Education Supervisor

It was such a wonderful visit! Just taking the dogs to the office, we were stopped multiple times by students and adults in the building who just lit up and asked to pet them. The students were so excited to see the dogs and were so amazed that we were able to have them in the school for them.

One young man said “This is the only time you will see my sensitive side – when I am with animals, I am happy.” Another student came back to our office upset later in the day and said she had been having a really rough day but when she came during lunch and saw the dogs, they made her feel calm and happy and she was okay to make it through most of her day. Our staff members said it was like a gift for them to have the dogs in the office during the day – they said they thought is meant as much to them as it did to the students. Our principal said she wants the dogs here all of the time!

Lauren Balkan, teacher at Carteret High School

I have such a strong connection to these animals and I truly believe they positively affect people of all ages. They seem to have an innate sense and so many of our students truly come alive when interacting with the dogs. They truly are furry little healers. Thank you again for coming to our school and sharing. So many students came to my office to tell me how much they loved the program and how hearing Kenny’s story moved them. Keep doing what you are doing. It helps so many.

Lori Ann Roland, LPC, LCADC, Student Assistance Coordinator at Brick Township High School 

It is I who should be thanking you! The presentation brought a few students to Guidance, all of whom decided it was time to talk. We took it one step further with one senior girl who is having suicide ideations. She will be getting treatment immediately.

PrincipalTrenton School

During my time as Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma, I personally witnessed the power of the AIR program, and its positive impact on young people. It was palpable, it was real, and there is no doubt in my mind that it made a difference in the lives of every participant, not just students, but parents and faculty as well.

Celina GrayActing Director of the NJ Governor's Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Former Executive Director of the NJ Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma

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